Find out why the city of Karlsruhe is a role model for other cities across Europe to follow

The German city offers unique modern mobility solutions

December 18, 2018 09:30, 728 impressions

Monika Dimitrova

Source:
Karlsruhe Municipality

The city of Karlsruhe, in southwest Germany, the second-largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg, has had a scale plan about its transportation since 2012. Working together with the administration, public and relevant companies, Karlsruhe developed the framework for a sustainable urban mobility system that not only highlights transportation development, it also ensures equal mobility opportunities for everyone in the city. This actions are part of its Urban Development Concept 2020.

The city is already an expert in international transport projects, developing cross-border transportation solutions. In addition, Karlsruhe has designed and implemented a number of sustainable and low-emission transportation solutions. The city has become Germany’s second bicycle capital, increasing bike traffic from 16% to 25% in a 10-year period. Over the past 2 years, the city has also acted as a living lab for the state’s testing of automated and connected driving, working on technology for automated shuttles and buses, as well as automated car sharing systems. As for linking its transportation system, Karlsruhe launched the first TramTrain light-rail system, directing trams from the urban network over to the mainline, giving citizens more accessibility in terms of mobility throughout all corners of the city.

The city is also starting the “Smart Mobility for the Karlsruhe Region” initiative, aiming to step forward as Germany’s premier smart city with a modern mobility lab. The new lab will help establish a real-life traffic prediction system for the region to enhance urban planning strategies and make day-to-day traffic management as efficient as possible, creating a model that can easily be replicated in other cities throughout Germany, as well as around the world.